Press Digest: Financial Times - April 8

Leonardo SpA

08/04/2026 02:59

April 8 (Reuters) - The following are the top stories in the Financial Times. Reuters has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

Headlines

Trump and Iran announce two-week ceasefire that will open Strait of Hormuz

Bill Ackman's Pershing Square offers to buy Universal Music in 55-billion-euro deal

Italian government poised to replace Leonardo's CEO who oversaw order surge

Aldermore Bank put up for sale after owner attacks UK car finance redress scheme

Blackstone and Tinicum agree 1.4-billion-pound deal for UK aerospace supplier Senior

BP chair faces re-election battle after board blocks climate resolution

Kanye West banned from entering UK after antisemitism dispute

Overview

U.S. President Donald Trump says he will "suspend the bombing and attack of Iran for a period of two weeks" subject to Iran reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

Billionaire investor Bill Ackman's Pershing Square PSHP.L proposed a takeover of Universal Music Group  UMG.AS on Tuesday in a 55 billion euro ($64.27 billion) deal.

Italy is likely to replace Roberto Cingolani as chief executive of defence group Leonardo LDOF.MI.

FirstRand FSRJ.J, one of South Africa's biggest banks, said it planned to exit from its UK challenger bank Aldermore, blaming a costly and "deeply flawed" British motor finance redress scheme.

Senior Plc SNR.L agreed on Tuesday to a 1.4-billion-pound ($1.88 billion) takeover proposal from a consortium comprising Tinicum and Blackstone BX.N, potentially ending months of pursuit of the British aerospace and defence supplier.

Major proxy adviser Glass Lewis has recommended BP BP.L shareholders vote against chair Albert Manifold over the company's decision to block a climate-related resolution from its annual general meeting.

Britain has blocked U.S. rapper Kanye West from travelling to the country to headline London's Wireless Festival in July over his past antisemitic comments and conduct.

($1 = 0.8558 euros)

($1 = 0.7456 pounds)

 (Compiled by Bengaluru newsroom)

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